The Creston Valley Thunder Cats are pleased to announce that 20-year old defenceman McConnell Kimmett has been named the team’s captain for the 2016-17 season, in which they will host the Cyclone Taylor Cup.
“McConnell has earned this opportunity as a result of the tremendous work ethic, commitment and leadership he’s displayed since he arrived in Creston in 2014,” said Thunder Cats head coach Jeff Dubois. “On the ice, he’s established himself as an elite two-way defenceman who can match up against top players defensively and also jump up in transition and contribute in the offensive zone.
“Off the ice, he’s a very impressive young man who leads by example, supports his teammates and serves as a great ambassador for our team in the community. He has all the qualities you look for in a leader, and I’m thrilled that he will be wearing the C for us during a very exciting season.”
Kimmett will suit up for his third season with the Thunder Cats, coming off a sophomore campaign that saw him score six goals and total 23 points in 47 regular season games. He also played in 41 games as a rookie during the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League’s 2014-15 season.
“I’m really excited to be named captain this season because it’s such a special year with our community hosting the Cyclone Taylor Cup,” said Kimmett. “We’re going to have a strong team and I’m honoured to be the leader. I do my best to set a good example on and off the ice, and my role as an assistant captain last year helped me become a more vocal leader.”
Kimmett expects he and his teammates to have high expectations next season ahead of the Creston Valley playing home to the 2017 B.C. Junior B provincial championships.
“The goal, like every year, is to win a championship,” he said. “We don’t want to get caught up thinking that we have a free ticket to the Cyclone Taylor Cup as the host team. We want to win a KIJHL championship and we have a lot of work to put in over the season to achieve that goal.”
Kimmett and his teammates will return to Creston for main camp beginning Aug. 19. The 2016-17 KIJHL season begins Sept. 9.
—CRESTON VALLEY THUNDER CATS
